Conservatory faculty member directs Fountain City Brass Band to national title

UMKC Conservatory faculty member, Joe Parisi, PhD., directed the Fountain City Brass Band, comprised of some Conservatory students, alumnus, and faculty, to a first place finish at the North American Brass Band Championships in New Albany, IN, April 14.

Judges' comments included "stunning performance," "consummate performance," and as an honor to Parisi, "Sir, you are an artist!"

The Fountain City Brass Band also shattered the championship record, scoring 293 points out of a possible 300. The band includes members that regularly travel from as far as Wisconsin, Pittsburg, KS, and other places to rehearse and play with the band.

The band will be the first American band to be invited to compete in the prestigious Masters Competition in Cambridge, England, in May. While in the UK, they will perform in Manchester, Coventry, and Scotland.

Parisi is assistant professor wind ensemble/music education. He joined the Conservatory of Music and Dance in 2002.

Parisi received a bachelor's degree in music education from the State University of New York at Potsdam (Crane School of Music), a master's degree in trumpet performance from Florida State University and a PhD in Instrumental Conducting/Music Education from Florida State University.

Parisi is an active member of the College Band Directors National association, Music Educators National Conference, Missouri Music Educators Association, International Association of Jazz Educators, International Trumpet Guild, Phi Mu Alpha, and Kappa Kappa Psi.